Where to pay and what methods PGE accepts
Portland General Electric accepts payments through several channels. You can pay online at pge.com using your account number, by phone at 1-800-542-8818, by mail, or in person at PGE payment centers in the Portland area. You can also set up automatic payments from your bank account so the bill comes out on a schedule you choose.
Online payment is the fastest route — your payment posts the same day if you submit it before 5 p.m. Pacific time on a business day. Phone payments also process same-day. Mail takes 7 to 10 business days from when PGE receives the envelope, so if your due date is close, mail is not the right choice. In-person payments at a PGE office or authorized payment location post immediately.
PGE does not charge a fee for online, phone, or mail payments made directly through their system. Some third-party payment services advertise PGE bill payment but charge convenience fees — avoid those unless you have a specific reason to use them.
Key Takeaways
- Pay online at pge.com, by phone at 1-800-542-8818, by mail, or at a PGE payment center — all are free when you pay PGE directly.
- Online and phone payments post the same day if submitted before 5 p.m. Pacific on a business day; mail takes 7 to 10 days.
- Set up automatic payments through your bank account to avoid missing a due date and triggering a late fee.
- Your account number appears on your bill and is required for phone or online payment.
- Late payments trigger a fee and can result in service disconnection if unpaid for 30 days or more.
Setting up automatic payments to avoid late fees
Automatic payment removes the risk of forgetting a due date. Log into your PGE account online, go to the payment settings section, and select "Enroll in AutoPay." You choose the date each month when the payment comes out of your bank account — pick a date after you know your paycheck has arrived, or a few days before your bill is due.
You can change or cancel AutoPay anytime through your online account. If your bill amount varies month to month (which it does for most customers, especially if you heat with electricity), AutoPay will deduct the full amount shown on that month's bill, not a fixed amount. This means you pay what you actually owe without having to log in each time.
If you enroll in AutoPay and also make a manual payment in the same billing cycle, you will be charged twice — PGE's system does not detect the duplicate. To avoid this, either skip AutoPay for that month or cancel the manual payment before it posts.
What to do if you cannot pay by the due date
Contact PGE before your bill is due, not after. Call 1-800-542-8818 and ask about a payment extension or a budget billing plan. PGE can sometimes extend your due date by a few days at no charge if you call ahead. Budget billing spreads your annual electricity costs into equal monthly payments, which can make bills more predictable if your usage swings wildly between seasons.
If you are struggling to pay because of a hardship — job loss, medical emergency, or reduced income — ask about PGE's low-income programs. These include bill assistance, weatherization services to reduce your usage, and sometimes direct payment help. You will need to provide proof of income and household size. The programs vary by year, so call to learn what is currently available.
If you do not contact PGE and your bill goes unpaid, a late fee is added to your next bill. If the account remains unpaid for 30 days, PGE can disconnect your service. Reconnection requires payment in full plus a reconnection fee. Calling early gives you options; waiting until after disconnection leaves you with fewer.
Understanding your bill and account number
Your PGE bill shows your account number in the upper right corner — this is what you need to pay by phone or online. The bill also shows your current balance due, the due date, and a breakdown of charges: the cost of electricity used, delivery charges, taxes, and any other fees or credits.
The amount due is the total of all charges minus any credits (such as a solar rebate or a previous overpayment). If you have questions about why a specific charge appears, the bill usually includes a phone number or web link to an explanation. Do not assume a charge is an error — call PGE to ask, and they can walk you through it.
Your account number stays the same even if you move within PGE's service area. If you move outside their territory, you will need to close your account and open one with a different utility. If you move within the territory, contact PGE to transfer service to your new address.
Paying a past-due bill or reconnecting after disconnection
If your account is past due, PGE will send you a disconnection notice before they shut off service. This notice includes the amount owed, the date service will be disconnected, and your options. You can pay the full amount, request a payment plan, or ask about hardship programs. Paying anything less than the full amount will not stop disconnection unless you have arranged a formal plan with PGE.
If service has already been disconnected, you must pay the full past-due balance plus a reconnection fee to restore power. Reconnection usually happens within one business day of payment, though it can take longer if the disconnection happened late in the day. Call 1-800-542-8818 to confirm the total amount owed and to arrange payment.
Some customers in financial hardship may be able to work out a payment plan instead of paying everything at once. This is not may provide — it depends on the amount owed and your payment history — but it is worth asking about when you call.
Paying online: step-by-step
Go to pge.com and click "Pay My Bill" or "Manage My Account." If you do not have an online account yet, you will need to create one using your account number (from your bill) and your service address. Once logged in, click "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now."
Enter the amount you want to pay. You can pay the full amount due, a partial payment, or any amount you choose. Select your payment method: bank account (ACH transfer) or debit/credit card. Bank account transfers are free; card payments may carry a small fee depending on the card type. Choose the date you want the payment to post — same-day if submitted before 5 p.m. Pacific on a business day, or a future date if you prefer.
Review the details, confirm the payment, and you will see a confirmation number. Save this number in case you need to reference the payment later. The payment will appear on your next bill as a credit.
Paying by phone or mail
To pay by phone, call 1-800-542-8818 and have your account number ready. A representative will ask how much you want to pay and will take payment information — either your bank account or a debit/credit card. The call usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. You will receive a confirmation number; write it down.
To pay by mail, write a check or money order payable to Portland General Electric. Include your account number on the check. Mail it to the address shown on your bill under "Payment Address" — do not mail it to the main PGE office. Include enough postage and allow 7 to 10 business days for delivery and processing. If your due date is within a week, mail is too slow.
Never send cash by mail. If you do not have a bank account or prefer not to use one, in-person payment at a PGE office or authorized payment location is your best option.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I pay late?
A late fee is added to your next bill. If your account stays unpaid for 30 days or more, PGE will send a disconnection notice. If you do not pay within the notice period, service will be shut off. You must then pay the full past-due balance plus a reconnection fee to restore power.
Can I set up a payment plan if I owe a lot?
Call PGE at 1-800-542-8818 and explain your situation. They may offer a plan to spread payments over several months, though this is not may provide. Plans are more likely if you have a good payment history and the amount owed is not extremely large. Ask about hardship programs at the same time.
Is there a fee for paying online?
No, there is no fee when you pay directly through pge.com using a bank account transfer. Card payments may have a small fee. Third-party payment services that advertise PGE payment often charge convenience fees — use PGE's official site instead.
What if I overpay my bill?
The overpayment becomes a credit on your account. It will be applied to your next bill automatically. If you want a refund instead, contact PGE and ask them to issue one — this takes a few weeks.
Can I pay someone else's PGE bill?
Yes, if you have their account number. Pay online at pge.com or by phone at 1-800-542-8818 and provide the account number. The payment will be credited to that account. You do not need to be the account holder to make a payment.